Georgia Passes New Law Despite Warnings, EU Raises Concerns Over Queerphobia

Photo : AP

**Tbilisi, Georgia**: In a controversial move, the Speaker of Georgia's parliament signed a bill into law on Thursday that mirrors Russian legislation aimed at limiting the rights of LGBTQ individuals. This decision comes despite warnings from the European Union regarding its potential implications for human rights in the country.

The legislation was signed by Shalva Papuashvili, a day after Georgia's pro-Western President, Salome Zurabishvili, declined to endorse the bill, leading to a clash with the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The law, termed the "law on family values and the protection of minors," resembles Moscow's "gay propaganda" law, which restricts gender reassignment and nullifies same-sex marriages conducted both abroad and within Georgian borders.

Papuashvili stated on Facebook, "In conformity with the constitution, I signed today the law 'on family values and the protection of minors,' which Salome Zurabishvili didn't sign." This action follows the ruling Georgian Dream's push to pass the bill through parliament last month, a vote that was boycotted by opposition members and has intensified tensions in the lead-up to the crucial parliamentary elections set for October 26.

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The Speaker defended the legislation, claiming it is grounded in "common sense, historical experience, and centuries-old Christian, Georgian, and European values," asserting that it protects the rights of all citizens. However, this assertion has been met with strong criticism from rights organizations and Western nations, which argue that the law is inherently discriminatory and creates a perilous environment for LGBTQ individuals in Georgia.

The timing of the bill is particularly significant, coming in the wake of the tragic stabbing of a well-known transgender woman in Georgia last month. This violent incident occurred during the contentious period leading up to the law's passage, further highlighting the risks faced by the LGBTQ community in the country.

This legislative action follows Tbilisi's recent introduction of an anti-NGO "foreign influence law," which sparked weeks of mass protests against the government and drew widespread condemnation from the West. Critics of the ruling Georgian Dream party accuse it of gravitating closer to the Kremlin and jeopardizing Georgia's aspirations for European Union membership.

As the political climate in Georgia grows increasingly fraught, the implications of this new law on both the LGBTQ community and the nation's international relations remain to be seen. The developments underscore a broader struggle within the country between pro-Western ideals and rising nationalist sentiments that echo those found in neighboring Russia.

Oct. 3, 2024 4:05 p.m. 506

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